Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus
The Moorish idol is a marine ray-finned fish of the family Zanclidae. It is the sole member of the genus Zanclus and the only living species in its family. It inhabits reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Family
Zanclidae
Avg Size
16-22 cm
Habitat
The Moorish idol occurs at depths from 1 to 180 metres (about 3 ft 3 in to 590 ft 7 in) in turbid lagoons, on reef flats, and around clear rocky and coral reefs. As with many reef fish, the type of habitat strongly shapes how abundant the species is.
Behaviour
Moorish idols feed mostly on sponges, which one study of gut contents found made up about 70 percent of the total weight eaten, but they also take algae, coral polyps, tunicates, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates, making them somewhat omnivorous. They are usually seen in small groups of two or three, though they may also be solitary or come together in large schools.
Where & When to See It
No dive-site records found for this species yet.